Automatic book and sheet-binding machine



Aug. 4, 1959 s. M. F'OTIADES AUTOMATIC BOOK AND SHEET-BINDING MACHINE Filed March 28, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENT QR 5mm ATTORNEY Aug. 4, 1959 S. M. FOTIADES AUTOMATIC BOOK AND SHEET-BINDING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 28, 1952 ATTORNEY 2,897,522 AUTOMATIC Book AND snnEr-BiNDiNG MACHINE Spyros Michael Fotiades, Athens, Greece Application March 28, 1952, Serial No. 279,238 7 8 Claims. c1. 1 1 -1 This inventionrelates to an improved book and sheetbinding machine in which loose sheets are first introduced into a feeder assembly, moved by a press assembly onto a binding assembly which cuts and binds the sheets, and are finally ejected by an ejector assembly onto a conveyor assembly for transporting the bound sheets to a specified area.

A general object of the invention is to provide an improved machine for quickly and automatically binding book pages and the like.

This and other objects will in part be understood from and inpart pointed out in the following description.

In the past, books and loose sheets have been bound in a number of different ways. One method is the conventional gluing of the back folds of a number ofadjacent folded sheets and the subsequent gluing of a backing strip and covers thereon.

Another conventional method of binding loose sheets into book or tablet form is by. passing threads either by hand or by machine through the adjacent back folds securing covers thereon.

Another conventional method involves stapling of the adjacent back folds of the folded sheets.

Another prior method involves passing threads through the adjacent back folds, sewing such threads onto either a cloth mesh ba'cking or a series of cords and then gluing such backing or cords to the covers.

This book and sheet-binding machine provided according to the invention departs from all these conventional methods and allows single unfolded adjacent sheets to be bound automatically into a flexible, integral unit either with or without the aid of threads.

In accordance with this invention in one illustrative embodiment thereof there are provided:

Means to feed loose unfolded sheets or folded sheets into a binding machine and to automatically align such sheets prior to binding;

Means for automatically pressing and moving such sheets as a body into a binding assembly;

A binding assembly for automatically uniting loose sheets into a book or tablet form;

An ejector assembly for automatically ejecting the bound book or tablet from the working area of the machine;-

A conveyor assembly for automatically transporting the bound unit to any specified area;

Means for securing guiding and stabilizing the movement of the press assembly;

Means for synchronizing the operations of the feeder assembly, the press assembly, the binding assembly and the component parts thereof, the ejector assembly and the conveyor assembly;

A removable binding table for readily exchanging the system of binding implements of the machine; and

A binding assembly comprising a system of blades, scissors, rotating disks, channels, grooves, fluid conducting means and levers, etc, for automatically slitting, folding, s'awin'g, threading, gluing and back coverin'g the'back folds or edges of the adjacent sheets in any desired series or combination of operations or singly.

Figure l is a perspective view, partly in section, of an automatic book and sheet-binding machine embodying features of the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view, partially cut-away, of the rear of the machine in Figure 1 and shows the press plate 13 and a part of the feeder assembly comprising the sheet aligning unit;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view, the binding table 41 and including the machine in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a view taken coincident rotation of one of the table 41;

Figure 5 is a view taken coincident with the of rotation of one of the threading or thread-bearing disks used in the table 41 of the machine in Figure 1;

Figure 6 is an end view of the thread-bearing disk in Figure 5; e v

Figure 7 is a view taken coincident with the axis of rotation of one of the glue-bearing disks used in the table 41'; and

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a series of different types of cutting blades 43 used in the table 41.

In order for the machine to operate in an efficient manner it is necessary to provide feeder means for intropartly in section, of the scissors unit of with the of cutting disks used in the binding ducing the sheets to be bound in an orderly and aligned Such feeder means are shown in the feeder.

manner. assembly in Figures 1 and 2. Feeder plate 1 incorporates on one side a hinge 2 whose pin is mounted in a pair of sliding plates 3 embedded in opposed grooves 4 in the sides of the frame 5 of the machine and fixed in position by set screws 6. Feeder guides 7 are adjustably positioned on the upper surface of the plate 1 by means of set-brackets 8. Plate 1 swings about the hinge 2 and is positioned by the adjusting rods 9 clasped in setbrackets '10 mounted on the frame 5.

A second element of the feeder assembly is the aligning bar 11- (shown in Figures 1 and 2) which reciprocates in slot 12 of the press plate 13 and in slot 14 of the backing plate 15. Bar 11 is hinged at one end to the crank pin 16 which is rotatably journalled in crank web 17. Crankweb 17 is fixed on erank shaft 18 which is seated rotatably in the frame '5. From one end of crank shaft 18 projects crank cam 19 which swings in slot 29 against the tension of spring 21. When the machine is approximately at the beginning of the forward stroke or at the end of the back stroke, the press plate 13 rests in a position over the slot '20 in the bed frame 22 (Figure 2) and the crank arm 19 is restrained in a lowered position within the slot 20 by the back and under surface of the press plate 13. When the crank cam 19 is in this position, the aligning bar 11 is in its foremost position as a result of the action of the cam 19 which is fixed to crank web 17 which in turn is hingedly connected through crank pin 16 to the alignment bar 11. In this foremost position, the

alignment bar 11 extends forward into slot 14 of the backing plate 15 as shown in Figure 1. The alignment operation of the bar relative to the sheets carried in the press assembly as it moves into the forward stroke is described in the following.

In order for the machine to operate effectively, there I in opposed slots 26 in the sides of the machine. Extending out from opposite sides of the base of the press plate 13 are wrist pins 27 which form journals for the connecting rods 28. The opposite ends of the connecting rods 28 are joined to crank pins 29 which are secured rotatably and eccentrically to disk cranks 30. Disk cranks 3.9 .are positively secured to crank shaft 31 and are power driven through a system of gear teeth 32 on the periphery of one of the disk cranks 30. These gear teeth 32 mesh with gear teeth on the flywheel 33.

Four drag-rods 34 are secured at one end to the backing plate 15 and reciprocate in bores 35 in the press plate 13. The other ends of the drag-rods 34 have fixed caps 36 thereon which engage stop ridges near the openings of the bores 35 and prevent the complete withdrawal from the press plate 13.

Backing plate 15 is also slidably positioned on the bed frame 22 of the machine and legs 37 thereof slide in slots 24 in the opposite sides of the machine. Clutch blocks 38 are spring mounted on the upper surface of the lugs 37 and are biased upwardly against the upper surface of the slots 24. Lugs 39 project outwardly from each side of the backing plate 15 and ride in opposed slots 26 in the sides of the machine. Clutch blocks 40 are spring mounted on the upper surface ofthe lugs 39 and are biased upward against the upper surface of the slots26.

While this preferred press assembly has been illustrated, it is evident that any means either manual or automatic for moving loose sheets into contact with a binding assembly would be suitable though not as efliective in operation.

In order for the machine to operate, there must be means to bind loose sheets into a book or tablet form.

. An automatic version of such means is shown in the binding assembly of Figures 1 and 3. Binding table 41 is removably positioned on the bed frame 22 of the machine and is held in place by means of set screws 42 which engage the frame 5. Aligned along the upper surface of the table 41 are a series of thin blades 43 having special shapes. Directly behind the blades 43 and in alignment therewith are a series of rotatable disks 44 over which pass threads 45 whose ends fall into grooves 46 in the channels 47 immediately behind the disks 44 and in alignment with the blades 43 and the disks 44. At a point farther behind the grooves 46 in the table 41 is an opposed-action scissors comprising two sliding blades 48 and 49 shown in Figure 3 which are cradled one on the other. One end of the blade 49 is chamfered on 1ts under edge 50 and rests on an inclined upper surface 51 of the adjacent blade 48. At the other end of the table 41 the blade 48 is chamfered on its under side or edge and rests on a similar inclined upper surface of the adjacent blade 49.

From the chamfered ends of the blades 48 and 49 extend lugs 52. Hinged to each lug 52 is a lever 53 and a finger 54 which is urged to the extended position as shown by a small spring 55. The hinged joint 56 of the lever 53 rides in a vertically skewed groove 57 in each end of table 41 and thereby forms a skew hinge with the finger 54, the hinged joint 56 and the lever 53. To the non-chamfered end of each blade 48 and 49 is connected a spring 58 for returning the blades to a normal rest position. Along the side of the table 41 are a series of screws 59 to adjust the compression of inset springs which urge the blades 48 and 49 into close slid ng contact with each other and with the table 41. Pro ecting from the side of the table 41 is a; cover 60 used to permit free passage of the bound sheets. Immediately alongside the table 41 is a second removable table 61.

Adjustably mounted on each connecting rod 28 is a trip finger 62 which comes into contact with the fingers 54 on the forward stroke of the connecting r d 28, and pulls each finger 54 forward, pivoting about hdnged joint 56 in groove 57 and lifting lever 53 which in, turn pulls lug 52 and thus blade 49 outwardly. Similarlevers and 4 fingers at the opposite end of table 41 pull blade 48 outwardly concurrently in parallel relationship. The chamfered under edge 50 of blade 49 is thus cammed upward and outward along inclined upper surface 51 of blade 48. Concurrently, at the opposite end of table 41 the chamfered under edge 50 of blade 48 rides up' on the inclined upper surface 51 of blade 49. Thechannels 47 in blades 48 and 49 are thus raised and pulled out of alignment whereby they etfectively reach up, grasp and sever threads trailing from the boundstack of leaves. Fingers 62 are set to actuate the scissors fingers 54 just after the press plate 13 has moved thebound stack over the scissors.

In the present embodiment of the scissors as shown in Figures 1 and 3, each blade 48 and 49 is cammed up at the end having the cammed under edge 50 engage the lugs 52 as it is pulled outwardly by the action of the tripfinger 62 against the finger 54 as explained earlier. Each channel 47 is thus raised upwardly as well as outwardly. The channels nearest the cammed under edge 50 of each blade are raised the highest, and serve to snare the trailing threads against the mating channels 47 in the adjacent blade which are raised a lesser amount. Channels 47 proximate the midpoint of the blades are raised an equal amount in a similar action to snare the trailing threads. Thus, channels 47 in each blade are all raised to reach up and snare trailing threads against the sides of mating channels 47 in the adjacent blade.

While one of the preferred binding assemblies has been utilized, it is evident that there may be varying combinations and shapes of the blade 43, the rotatable disks 44 and the scissors blades 48 and 49. Further, it is evident that power-driven disks having ridged peripheries can be incorporated into the binding table 41 and used instead of the blades 43. Also, the blades 43 alone or disks or disks of the ridged type can be utilized without the use of the other binding means. Further, the machine can effect any combination of operations performed by either the blades, disks, or scissors by the mere insertion of special tables 41 and 61 having the de* sired combinations of implements thereon. Also, the various implements can be arranged in echelon on the binding table 41. Thus, it is evident that practically any means utilized in the binding assembly would be suitable, though certain combinations and special structures of the several implements would be more effective for different operations.

It is noted that a system of glue conduits is formed in the machine and in the tables thereof whereby glue can be fed to the several operating implements. A glue reservior is connected by a system of conduits to the blades 43, the disks 44. Further, it is noted that the press plate 13 and the backing plate 15 have a slotted under surface which permits the two plates to slide freely over the binding assembly implements. Removable matrix plates 63 and 64 are positioned over the slotted under surfaces of the plates 13 and 15, respectively, and contain openings therein whose outlines coincide with the transverse contour of the implements on the binding table 41.

In order for the machine to operate efiiciently there must he means for rapidly ejecting the bound sheets immediately after the binding operation. Such ejector means are shown in the ejector assembly in Figure 1. Two rods 65 are each fixed at one end to backing plate 15, and at the other end reciprocate in each of two parallel piston tubes 66. The other ends of piston tubes 66 are formed as pistons and reciprocate in pressure cylinders 67. The other ends of cylinders 67 are closed except for small ports leading into tubes 68 which connect with pressure cylinders 69. Cylinders 69 are held in any desired position by adjustable support arms 70 mounted on the backing plate 15. It is apparent that cylinders 69 can be raised or lowered and pivoted to any desired positigp by means of brackets 71. A piston ageemaa having -a piston rod extending downwardly therefrom is urged upwardly by means of a coils'p'ring within each cylinder '69. I

Two sets of opposed c'oncavities 72 appear in the plates 13 and 15 and are designed to receive-and protect' thecylinder's 69 in the event that'the press plate 13 is urged forward at a time when no loose sheets have been fed into the machine.

While the preferred embodiment of ejector means has been utilized, it is evident that any means for ejecting the'bound units would be suitable. Further, the machine could operate without ejector means though not as efficiently.

Conveyor means for receiving the ejected units as they drop through the opening inthe bed frame 22 are shown in Figure 1. The preferred conveyor assembly comprises two opposed link chains 73 driven on a system of gears "and connected by spaced rods 74. It 'is evident that any conveyor means would be suitable and that "the machine could operate without the conveyor means but not as efliciently. An inspection plate 76 is placed in the side of the machine and oil grooves 77 are located in the slots 24 as a means of-lubrication.

Some examples of the different implements used on table 41 are shown in Figures 4 through 8. In Figure 4 the cutting disk shown has a ridged or toothed periphery 78 and a centrally located aperture 79 for receiving a drive shaft. The several profiles of the cutting periphery of this disk can undergo many changes and the slitting or sawing operation can hence be performed according to the requirement of the particular volume of "sheets to be bound.

In Figure 5 the thread-bearing disk shown has an annular groeveso on the peripher and a centrally '10-.

cated annula'r "aperture 81 for receiving an annular idling, non-powered shaft. Where thread is used in the binding operation of the machine, a spool beneath the table 41 feeds thread up through the table 41 and onto the groove 80 in the disk in Figure 5. The severed end of the thread rests in grooves 46 in table 41. As the edges of the sheets pass as a body over the thread-bearing disk, the friction between the edges of the sheets and the threads drags the threads along with the moving sheets. Further, 'it is noted that the thread-bearing disks perform another function of inserting and embedding the threads thereon into the slits or cuts made in the back edges of the loose sheets.

In another combination of operations the threads may be passed through a vessel containing glue and thereafter onto the thread-bearing disks. It is obvious then that many forms of threading implements can be made, particularly rotatable disks (power driven or otherwise) thatcan be'utilized to thread the back edges of the loose sheets.

Figure 7 shows a glue-bearing disk having a troughed periphery 82 and a centrally located aperture 83 for re ceiving a drive shaft. It is evident that when the gluebearing disk rotates with a lower section thereof immersed in glue, the troughed periphery thereof will scoop .glue up and into the slits and cuts made in the bound sheets as the press assembly passes over the binding table 41.

Practically any shape of disk or any other implement can be utilized to effectuate the gluing process as aforementioned, though not as effectively.

Figure 8 shows a series of different types of cutting blades 43 used in table 41. Blade 84 has a sturdy base 85 which slides into the matrix 86 in the table 41. A sharp cutting edge or profile 87 extends upwardly and outwardly from the blade 84. At the rear of the blade 84 is a lip 88 which is depressed into the area of the loose sheets cut out by the edge 87 as the unit of loose sheets is passed over the binding table 41. His evident that the cutting edge '87 'and the lip 88 can be shaped so as to cut out and depress any specified area or line on the back edge of the loose sheets'being bound. Blade 89 shows a different edge 90 and lip 91. Further, it shows a feed'hole 92 through which -thread, glu'e, or both can'b'e fed up onto th'e'lip '91 'and'into' the slits or cutsin the back edges of the loose sheets asthey'pass over the "table'dl. Lip 91 can be formed as a spring 'rnernber 'to faeilitatethe feeding process. Hole 93 "intheta'ble 41"is in'alig'hmeiit with the feed hole 92in blade 89 and permitsentry of thread or glue from'supplies beneath the table 41. Blade94 shows another form of cutting edge 95 and 1ip'96. Blade 97 shows still another type of cutting edge 98.

'It is obvious that many typesof cutting' bl'a'des as 43 can 'be'made with various and diiferenteonibinatiofis of cutting edges, lips andfeed holes'and still be within the spirit of this invention.

In resume, the operation of the machine begins with the placing of'a 'number'of groups of loose'sli'eets to be bound on the feeder plate 1 in Figure l. The power is then turned'o'na'nd the machine begins to operate through the energy transmitted from the fly-wheel 33 to all of the connected units and assemblies.

At the time during the cycle of the machine when the plates 13 and 15 are at the end of the back stroke as shown in Figure 1, a group of loose sheets are inserted between the plates 13 and :15 either by hand or by allowing them to fall due to their own weight. As the fly-wheel 33 continues to turn driving gear teeth 32 on the adjacent disk crank 30,cra'nkshaft 31 connected thereto causes the opposed disk crank 30 to turn simultaneously. As the disk cranks 30 continue to turn into the forward stroke of the cycle they draw with them their respective connecting rods 28 which in turn lug the press' plate 13 forward 'along the bed frame 22. Since the backing plate 15 has no motiva'tingpower of its own, it remains stationary during the initial part of the forward stroke. Thus, the drag rods 34 which project from the backing plate 15 slide deeper into the bores 35 as the press plate 13 continues to move forward.

When the plate "13 in its forward motion has pressed the loose sheets up against the backing plate 1 5, the continued motion thereof moves both plates forward with the loose sheets held securely therebetween.

As the press plate 13 is drawn forward, it uncovers the slot 20 in the bed frame "22 and the crank cam 19 is swung upward by the recoiling action o'fthespring 21 connected thereto. This swinging motion of the cain 19 is transrriitted onto the crank shaft '18 in the form of a counterclockwise turning motion and the aligning bar 11 is drawn backward through the slots 14 and 12 of plates 15 and 13, respectively. As the forward cammed edge of the bar 11 is drawn rearwardly across the edges of the loose sheets held between the plates 13 and 15, the sheets are aligned in a superimposed position. It is noted that the sliding motion of the backing plate 15 is retarded by the clutch blocks 38 and 40 pressing upward against the upper surface of the slots 24 and 26, respectively.

As the plates 13 and 15 continue their forward motion they draw the lower edge of the loose sheets over the binding tables 41 and 61. Blades 43 and disks 44 pass through the aligned openings in the matrix plate 64 and perform their slitting, threading, cutting, back-facing and gluing operations on the lower edge of the loose sheets and thereafter pass through the aligned openings in the matrix plate 63 of the press plate 13.

When the connecting rods 28 have drawn the plates 13 and 15 over the binding table 41, the trip fingers 62 'on connecting rods 28 engage the fingers 54 of the binding table 41. Since the hinged joints 56 can open only to an approximately 90 angle, they swing in the respective grooves 57, pulling with them the levers 53 which in turn pull lugs 52 and thereby blades 48 and 49 in opposed directions. Since the blades 48 and '49 are cradled one on the other, they are cammed upwardly and outwardly by the opposed pull on the lugs 52 and thence the ends of the channels 47 therein are pulled out of line, severing any threads trailing therein from thebound sheets.

As the plates 13 and 15 are drawn pastthe binding tables, the rods 65 arepushed into piston tubes 66. The rods 65 continue to move forward with the plate 15 and force the piston tubes 66 into the pressure cylinders 67 thereby forcing compressed air into the tubes 68'. As the plates 13 and 15 move over the opening in the bed frame 22 directly over the conveyor assembly, the air pressure in the tubes 68 is increased and thus transmitted to the pressure cylinders 69. The piston and piston rod within each cylinder 69 are forced downwardly against the coil spring therein and strike the upper surface of the bound sheets held between the plates 13 and 15, thereby ejecting the bound units.

On the back stroke of the machine cycle the connecting rods 28 force the plate 13 rearwardly and the drag of the clutch blocks 38 and 40 retards the motion of the plate 15 and thus drag rods 34 are withdrawn from the bores 35 until the caps 36 thereon engage stop ridges near the openings of the bores 35. As the plate 13 continues its rearward motion, it draws plate 15 rearwardly by means of the drag rods 34 connected thereto. Further, plate 15 pulls rods 65 out of piston tubes 66 and thence both of these units out of the cylinders 67, relieving the air pressure therein and allowing the piston and rod within the cylinders 69 to recoil.

At the end of the backward stroke of the cycle the press plate 13 rides onto crank cam 19, depressing it and thereby causing the aligning bar 11 to be moved forward into the ready position.

The above description is intended in illustration and not in limitation of the invention. Various changes in the embodiment described may occur to those skilled in the art and these may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as set forth.

Having described my invention in the specification and having illustrated the embodiments, I claim:

1. A binding machine comprising a frame, a press plate and a backing plate linked together for limited movement away from each other and slidable in said frame in opposed relationship to each other, means for slidably reciprocating said press plate into and out of engagement with binding means in said frame, during said movement into engagement said press plate being slidable against said backing plate to compress a stack of leaves inserted between the plates to carry said stack into engagement with said binding means which binds the stack of leaves together, during said movement out of engagement said press plate being freely slidable away from said backing plate to automatically release the bound stack of leaves and to automatically move the backing plate out of said engagement when the press plate has reached the limited movement away from the backing plate.

2. A bookbindingmachine comprising a bed frame, a press plate sildable thereon into and out of engagement with binding means in the frame, said press plate having a relatively fiat upright forward surface for moving a stack of leaves upright with one edge sliding along the bed frame, and alignment means operable transversely across the forward surface of the press plate to align said stack as it is moved into engagement with the binding means.

3. In a machine for binding together a stack of leaves to form a book, a frame, a press assembly comprising a pair of opposed clamping members reciprocably slidable in said frame and operable to clamp a stack of leaves therebetween and slide the stack along said frame into engagement with binding means in said frame which binds the sheets together to form a book, said clamping plates being operable to release said leaves after they have been bound, an ejector operable between said members on re lease of said leaves to eject the bound book from the press assembly, and means to operate said assembly and ejector.

4. A leaf binding machine comprising a slideway having book or leaf binding means positioned therein conveyor means positioned below an opening in the slideway adjacent said binding means, and a pair of opposed clamping members reciprocably slidable on said slideway to clamp a stack of leaves therebetween and slide the stack along said slideway, and over the binding means whereby the binding means bind the stack of leaves together, said clamping members being slidable beyond said binding means and over the opening in the slideway, said clamping members being operable to release the bound leaves over the opening in the slideway allowing the bound leaves to fall through the opening and onto the conveyor means which remove the bound leaves from the area proximate the binding means, and means to operate the clamping members.

5. A frame, a press element and a backing element freely slidable in said frame in opposed relationship, means linking said elements together whereby each element is freely slidable toward the other, and freely slidable a limited distance away from the other, means to reciprocate said press element forward and back in said frame, said press element being operable during said forward stroke to move toward the backing element to clamp an object inserted between said elements and to transport said object in the clamped condition against said backing element forward along said frame, said presselement being operable during said back stroke to move away from the backing element to release the object clamped therebetween and to move beyond the limited distance between said elements established by said linking means to drag the backing plate backward in said frame.

6. A frame, a press assembly reciprocably slidable in said frame, an ejector operable in said frame, said assembly comprising a pair of opposed clamping members for clamping books or other objects therebetween, said ejector comprising an extendable element operable between said members, said press assembly being operable on the forward stroke to clamp a book or other material between the members and carry said book or other objects along said frame, said members being operable proximate the end of said forward stroke to release the book or other material clamped therebetween proximate an opening in the frame, actuating means connected to said extendable element and operable on release of said book or other objects to extend said element and eject said objects from between the members and through said openmg.

7. The device set forth in claim 6 wherein said actuating means comprise a conduit connected to said extendable element, and means connected to one of said members to compress a force transmitting media confined within said conduit during the forward stroke and thereby urge the extendable element to the extended position.

8. A leaf binding machine comprising a slideway having leaf binding means positioned therein, a conveyor means positioned proximate an opening in the slideway adjacent said binding means, and a pair of opposed clamping plates reciprocably slidable along said .slideway to clamp a stack of leaves therebetween and slide the stack along said slideway and into engagement with said binding means whereby the binding means binds the stack of leaves together, said clamping plates being slidable beyond said binding means and across the opening in theslideway, said clamping plates being operable to release the bound leaves opposite the opening in the slideway, ejector means operable between said clamping plates on release of the bound leaves to urge the bound leaves through the opening and onto the conveyor means which remove the bound leaves from the area proximate the binding means, and means to operate the clamping plates.

(References on following page) References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Sullivan May 13, 1890 Wigginton Jan. 11, 1916 Horsfield Dec. 4, 1923 Isliker-Brauen Apr. 28, 1925 Clark Jan. 12, 1926 Davis May 21, 1929 Gerrie Nov. 5, 1929 10 10 Bredenberg Apr. 22, 1930 Frazier June 16, 1931 Schramm June 27, 1939 Harrison May 20, 1947 Biesen Dec. 5, 1950 Smith Oct. 14, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS Germany Sept. 11, 1903 France Dec. 19, 1908 

